A field of 10 teams will embark on the area today when the Babe Ruth 14-year-old state tournament convenes at Hickey Park.

Four games are scheduled for opening day, beginning 1 p.m. with District 1 champion McGehee taking on District 6 runner-up Jacksonville. Other games include District 2 winner El Dorado taking on District 5 champion Little Rock Junior Deputy at 3:15, District 4 winner Bryant meeting District 8 champion Stuttgart at 5:30 and District 3 representative Benton meeting host Russellville at 7:45 p.m.

Those getting byes for the first day of competition are District 7 champion Pine Bluff, which awaits the winner of the McGehee-Jacksonville game for its 1 p.m. showdown Saturday, and Cabot, which enters the tournament at the District 6 champion despite the fact that Russellville won that tournament last Sunday. Cabot will play the Benton-Russellville winner at 3:15 p.m. Saturday, followed by two loser's bracket games.

The double-elimination tournament continues with four games Sunday, three games Monday, two games Tuesday and the championship game (or games) on Wednesday. The state tournament champion advances to the Babe Ruth 14-year-old Southwest Regional tournament and a step closer to the Babe Ruth 14-year-old World Series, which will be played in Quincy, Mass.

Legion AA squad falls

MAUMELLE -- Superior Foods has enjoyed plenty of success this season, except when it comes to teams it will face in the upcoming Area III tournament.

That was the case Wednesday night as Maumelle handed Russellville's AA squad a 10-2 loss. Superior Foods' hitters were held to three hits in the contest, while Russellville's defense struggled with four errors.

In addition to Wednesdays's defeat, Superior Foods has also suffered losses to Conway, Greenbrier and Jacksonville this season. All four of those teams will be in the Area III tournament, which will take place in Maumelle.

Superior Foods (17-6) did all its scoring early with solo tallies in the first two innings. The second run forced a 2-2 tie, only to have Maumelle take the lead for good with four runs in the bottom of the second.